Image forming apparatus and program

Abstract

To reduce the burden on the user. [Solution] The image forming apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises: a print control unit that forms an image on a sheet-like medium based on image data; an operation unit that can receive operations from a user; a storage unit that stores a history of setting values ​​changed according to the operation received by the operation unit in order for the print control unit to form an image on the medium, in association with identification information of the medium; and a setting unit that, when a first operation is received while the setting values ​​stored in the storage unit are displayed on a display unit, uses a plurality of setting values ​​associated in the storage unit with the identification information associated with the displayed setting values ​​to set for forming an image on the medium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, image forming apparatuses tend to be highly functional. Along with the high functionality of image forming apparatuses, when a user performs processing using an image forming apparatus, various settings can be made for the image forming apparatus.

[0003] On the setting screen of an image forming apparatus, since the number of setting items is large, when the setting values of a plurality of setting items are changed, it is difficult to return to the setting values before the change.

[0004] Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a technique has been proposed that enables returning to a previous adjustment state after performing various adjustments by storing a history of adjustments.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, even in the conventional technology, when it is desired to return to the state before the change, since it is necessary to refer to the history and return one by one, there is a problem that the operation burden is large.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus and a program capable of reducing the operation burden by enabling a plurality of setting values to be set collectively.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus comprising: a print control unit that forms an image on a sheet-like medium based on image data; an operation unit that can receive operations from a user; a storage unit that stores a history of setting values ​​changed according to the operation received by the operation unit in order for the print control unit to form an image on the medium, in association with identification information of the medium; and a setting unit that, when the setting values ​​stored in the storage unit are displayed on the display unit and a first operation is received, uses a plurality of setting values ​​associated in the storage unit with the identification information associated with the displayed setting values ​​to set the setting values ​​for forming an image on the medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the burden of operation is reduced by enabling the simultaneous setting of multiple settings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a hardware configuration diagram of an MFP relating to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram illustrating the software configuration according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure illustrates the printer timeline screen displayed by the display control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure illustrates the paper management history screen displayed by the display control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure illustrates a list screen of paper management history for each paper ID, as displayed by the display control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates the paper management history screen displayed by the display control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure illustrates the settings editing screen displayed by the display control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the setting process for printing performed by the controller according to the first embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0011] (First embodiment) The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment may, for example, be a multifunction full-color digital copier (MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Product / Printer)) that forms color images using an electrophotographic method.

[0012] Figure 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of the MFP according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the MFP9 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network interface 950.

[0013] Of these components, the controller 910 includes a SOC 902 containing the CPU 901, which is the main part of the computer; RAM 903, eMMC 904, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a local memory (MEM-C) 907, an HDD controller 908, and an HDD 909 and NVRAM 905, with the SOC 902 and ASIC 906 connected by a PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect-Express) bus 921.

[0014] Of these, the CPU 901 is the control unit that performs overall control of the MFP9. The SOC 902 connects the CPU 901 to the RAM 903, eMMC 904, NVRAM 905, and PCIe bus 921, and has a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the RAM 903, eMMC 904, and NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 905, as well as a PCIe master.

[0015] The eMMC (embedded Multi Media Card) 904 is memory for storing programs and data that implement the various functions of the controller 910. The RAM 903 is used for program and data deployment, and as drawing memory during memory printing. The programs stored in the eMMC 904 may be configured to be provided as installable or executable files recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD. The NVRAM 905 holds the setting values ​​used to control the MFP9.

[0016] The ASIC906 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing applications that has hardware elements for image processing, and acts as a bridge connecting PCIe bus 921, PCIe bus 922, HDD controller 908, MEM-C907, and SD card slot 911. The ASIC906 includes a PCIe target, an arbiter (ARB) which is the core of the ASIC906, an SD host controller for using an SD memory card inserted in the SD card slot 911, a memory controller for controlling MEM-C907, multiple DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that perform image data rotation and other operations using hardware logic, and a PCIe unit that performs data transfer between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932 via PCIe bus 922. The ASIC906 may also be configured to have a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface connected to it.

[0017] PCIe bus 921 and PCIe bus 922 are bus interfaces that connect devices connected by point-to-point wiring, enabling the transmission and reception of data using a serial transfer method.

[0018] The SD card slot 911 is a physical interface for mounting an SD card, and enables reading and writing of data to / from the SD card mounted in the SD card slot 911.

[0019] MEM-C907 is local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer. The HDD 909 is a storage for accumulating image data, font data used at the time of printing, and forms. The HDD 909 controls reading or writing of data to the HDD 909 according to the control of the CPU 901.

[0020] Also, the short-range communication circuit 920 includes a short-range communication circuit 920a. The short-range communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0021] Furthermore, the engine control unit 930 is composed of a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932.

[0022] The operation panel 940 includes a panel display unit 940a such as a touch panel that displays current setting values, selection screens, etc. and receives inputs from the operator, and an operation panel 940b including a numeric keypad that receives setting values of conditions related to image formation such as density setting conditions and a start key that receives a copy start instruction. The operation panel 940 functions as an operation unit that can receive operation inputs from the user. Also, the panel display unit 940a of the operation panel 940 is provided to present information to the user and functions as a display unit that displays various screens for using the MFP 9. Also, in this embodiment, the operation unit is not limited to the operation panel 940, and input devices other than the operation panel 940 such as a mouse and a keyboard connected via a connection unit (not shown) may be used.

[0023] The controller 910 controls the entire MFP 9, and controls, for example, drawing, communication, input from the operation panel 940, etc.

[0024] The scanner unit 931 reads images such as pictures, characters, and graphs from a medium as image data. The printer unit 932 functions as a print control unit that forms an image on a sheet-like medium (e.g., paper) based on the image data. The scanner unit 931 or the printer unit 932 includes image processing components such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0025] The MFP9 allows users to sequentially switch between document box, copy, printer, and facsimile functions using the application switching key on the control panel 940. When the document box function is selected, the device enters document box mode; when the copy function is selected, it enters copy mode; when the printer function is selected, it enters printer mode; and when the facsimile mode is selected, it enters facsimile mode.

[0026] Furthermore, the network interface 950 is an interface for data communication using a communication network. The short-range communication circuit 920 and the network interface 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via the PCIe bus 922.

[0027] <Features of the MFP of this embodiment> Incidentally, when using the printing function of conventional MFPs, users often had to change the settings of various items in order to print in the format they desired. In such cases, there were times when users wanted to revert to the original settings after changing them. To accommodate this, some conventional MFPs had a screen that allowed users to check the history of setting changes. By referring to this screen, users could see which setting items had been changed. However, conventional MFPs only allowed users to check the history of setting changes, and if a user wanted to revert to a previous setting, they had to refer to the history and change each setting one by one. In some cases, users would write down the setting items and their values ​​that needed to be changed on a piece of paper or something similar, and then refer to the written setting items and values ​​and change them one by one on the settings editing screen.

[0028] In particular, recent MFPs tend to have a large number of settings for paper information for printing, and the settings screens tend to have deep hierarchies for classifying these settings. As a result, users tend to have to perform many steps to reach their desired setting. Consequently, once a setting value is updated in an MFP, it tends to be difficult to revert to the previous setting value.

[0029] Therefore, the MFP9 according to this embodiment makes it possible to revert multiple setting items stored as change history back to their original settings all at once, thereby reducing the operational burden on the user.

[0030] Furthermore, the MFP9 according to this embodiment uses a paper ID as identification information to identify the paper in order to manage the history of setting changes. The MFP9 then stores the history of setting changes for each paper ID. This makes it possible for the MFP9 to revert to the original setting on a per-paper basis.

[0031] <Software Configuration> Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the software configuration according to this embodiment. The CPU 901 provided in the MFP9 according to this embodiment is configured to control the operation of the MFP9 and user input. The CPU 901 realizes each functional block by executing a program stored in the eMMC 904. Each functional block within the CPU 901 is conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as shown in the figure. It is possible to configure all or part of each functional block by functionally or physically distributing and integrating them in any unit. The CPU 901, by realizing a program, includes a display control unit 1201, an operation reception unit 1202, a setting unit 1203, a storage control unit 1204, and an output control unit 1205.

[0032] The HDD909 according to this embodiment includes a paper management history storage unit 909A. The paper management history storage unit 909A stores a history of setting changes used by the printer unit 932 of the MFP9 to form an image on the paper, as a paper management history, associated with a paper ID that identifies the paper.

[0033] The paper management history storage unit 909A is implemented as a database. The paper management history storage unit 909A stores a history of setting values ​​changed according to the operation received by the operation panel 940 in order for the printer unit 932 to form an image on the paper, associating it with the paper ID. In this embodiment, when printing is performed after the CPU 901 receives a change in the setting value of a setting item from the user via the operation panel 940 (to instruct the printer unit 932), the paper management history storage unit 909A records the history of the setting value change as associated with the paper ID indicating the printed paper.

[0034] Furthermore, since the paper management history storage unit 909A is located on the HDD 909, it continues to retain the stored information even when the MFP9's power is turned off.

[0035] The paper management history according to this embodiment includes, for example, the date and time the print command was issued, a counter value indicating the current print job, the name of the user who issued the print command, a paper ID identifying the printed paper, the version of the paper, the name of the paper, the settings changed for printing, the changed settings, and the settings before the changes. The paper management history is shown as an example and is not limited to these parameters; for example, other parameters may be included.

[0036] Thus, the paper management history storage unit 909A stores the setting value after the setting change in order to form an image on the paper, associated with the paper ID, and also stores the setting value before the setting change in order to form an image on the paper, associated with the paper ID.

[0037] The display control unit 1201 controls the display of information on the panel display unit 940a included in the operation panel 940.

[0038] The operation reception unit 1202 receives operations from the user via the operation panel 940.

[0039] The setting unit 1203 sets the changed setting values ​​according to the operation received by the operation panel 940 so that the printer unit 932 can form an image on the paper.

[0040] When printing is performed, the memory control unit 1204 records the paper management history (date and time, counter value, user name, paper ID, paper version, paper name, setting item, changed setting value, and original setting value) related to the settings changed by the setting unit 1203 for the current print job. If multiple setting items have been changed, the paper management history for all of the changed setting items is recorded.

[0041] The output control unit 1205 controls the output of instructions to each component of the MFP9. For example, the output control unit 1205 outputs instructions to the printer unit 932 for printing according to the operation performed via the operation panel 940.

[0042] Figure 3 is an example of the printer timeline screen displayed by the display control unit 1201 according to this embodiment. The printer timeline screen 1300 is a screen that shows events that occurred in the MFP9 in chronological order. Each item shown in the item column 1310 indicates the type of event, and the chronological column 1320 shows the events that occurred with icons.

[0043] Item column 1310 contains the paper management history 1311. In other words, the printer timeline screen shown in Figure 3 displays the paper management history performed by the MFP9 in chronological order.

[0044] Icon 1321 is located in the timeline of the paper management history 1311. Icon 1321 is located in the time period from 12:00 AM to 1:00 PM on 2024 / 06 / 14. Therefore, icon 1321 indicates that an event related to the paper management history 1311, in other words, a change in settings for printing paper, occurred during the time period from 12:00 AM to 1:00 PM on 2024 / 06 / 14.

[0045] The printer timeline screen is displayed on the panel display unit 940a, which is equipped with a touch panel. Therefore, the operation reception unit 1202 can accept the selection of icons shown in the time series column 1320. When the operation reception unit 1202 accepts the selection of an icon shown in the time series column 1320 (for example, icon 1321), the display control unit 1201 displays the screen related to the selected icon.

[0046] For example, when the operation reception unit 1202 receives a selection of icon 1321, the display control unit 1201 displays a paper management history screen related to the setting changes made during the time period indicated by icon 1321.

[0047] Note that the printer timeline screen shown in Figure 3 is an example and is not limited to this screen. The printer timeline screen may, for example, display events related to each item as a list.

[0048] Figure 4 is an example of the paper management history screen displayed by the display control unit 1201 according to this embodiment. The paper management history screen 1400 is a screen for displaying the paper management history stored in the paper management history storage unit 909A.

[0049] For example, the paper management history screen 1400 is displayed when the user selects icon 1321, which is located as paper management history 1311, on the printer timeline screen 1300 shown in Figure 3. In other words, the paper management history screen 1400 contains all paper management history changes made during the time period in which icon 1321 is located (12:00 AM to 1:00 PM on June 14, 2024).

[0050] In the example shown in Figure 4, "1 / 14" is displayed in page number 1406. This indicates that the first of the 14 paper management history entries is being displayed. To display other paper management history entries, the display control unit 1201 switches the display to the second paper management history entry when the operation reception unit 1202 receives confirmation that the "Next" button 1411 has been pressed. The same procedure applies to the third and subsequent entries, and explanations are omitted here.

[0051] Furthermore, if the operation reception unit 1202 receives a press of the "cancel" button 1412, the display control unit 1201 performs control to return to the previously displayed screen (for example, the printer timeline screen).

[0052] The paper management history screen 1400 shown in Figure 4 displays the (occurrence) date and time, counter value, performer (user name that performed the printing), paper ID, paper version, paper name, setting item, the changed setting value for that setting item, and the setting value for that setting item before the change.

[0053] In the paper management history screen 1400 shown in Figure 4, "12" is displayed in the paper ID field 1401, "Main unit: Image position adjustment Automatic image position adjustment Number of confirmation sheets Single-sided" is set in the item field 1402 where the setting was changed, "2" is set in the changed field 1403, and "1" is set in the changed field 1404.

[0054] In other words, the paper management history screen 1400 shown in Figure 4 displays a paper management history that associates at least the paper ID "12", the setting item "Main unit: Image position adjustment Automatic image position adjustment Number of confirmation sheets Single-sided", the setting value before the change "2", and the setting value after the change "1".

[0055] Thus, on the paper management history screen 1400, the user can check the settings before and after the setting item has been changed.

[0056] In the MFP9 according to this embodiment, it is possible to transition to the settings editing screen with the settings before or after the change, as shown on the paper management history screen 1400, applied.

[0057] For example, if the operation reception unit 1202 receives a press of the "Re-edit with values ​​before saving" button 1415, the setting unit 1203 applies the previous settings for all pages of the paper management history screen 1400 to the settings editing screen. In the example shown in Figure 4, the setting unit 1203 applies the previous settings (the values ​​shown in the previous column 1404) for 14 setting items to the settings editing screen, and the display control unit 1201 displays the settings editing screen to which the previous settings have been applied.

[0058] For example, if the operation reception unit 1202 receives a press of the "Re-edit with saved values" button 1414, the setting unit 1203 applies the previous settings for all pages of the paper management history screen 1400 to the settings editing screen. In the example shown in Figure 4, the setting unit 1203 applies the changed settings (the values ​​shown in the changed column 1403) for 14 setting items to the settings editing screen, and the display control unit 1201 displays the settings editing screen to which the previous settings have been applied.

[0059] In this embodiment, the MFP9 can update all settings made during the time period selected by the control described above. Furthermore, the 14 pages of paper management history displayed on the paper management history screen 1400 may contain multiple paper IDs. Some users may want to change settings only for specific paper IDs. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to change the setting values ​​for each paper ID all at once.

[0060] For example, when the operation reception unit 1202 receives a press of the "Check all change history for this paper" button 1413, the display control unit 1201 displays a list screen of the paper management history that is associated with the paper ID displayed on the paper management history screen 1400.

[0061] Figure 5 is an example of a list screen of paper management history for each paper ID displayed by the display control unit 1201 according to this embodiment. In the paper management history screen 1400 before transitioning to the list of paper management history 1510, "12" was displayed in the paper ID field 1401. Therefore, the list screen 1500 shown in Figure 5 displays the list of paper management history 1510 that is associated with paper ID "12" among the paper management history stored in the paper management history storage unit 909A.

[0062] When the operation reception unit 1202 receives a press of the "cancel" button 1501, the display control unit 1201 performs control to return to the previously displayed screen (for example, the paper management history screen 1400).

[0063] The list 1510 shown in Figure 5 displays the history ID, username, modification date and time, the changed setting item, and the values ​​before and after the change.

[0064] In List 1510, the History ID is an identifier assigned to manage multiple settings that were changed in bulk for printing a document. The Username indicates the user who made the changes for printing the document. The Change Date and Time indicates the date and time the settings were changed for printing the document. List 1510 displays the history of multiple past changes associated with the document ID.

[0065] In this manner, the display control unit 1201 displays a list 1510 of setting items and setting values ​​associated with a predetermined paper ID for each change date and time (an example of a time) when the settings were changed in order to form an image.

[0066] The "Changed Items and Values ​​Before and After Changes" section displays the settings that were changed for printing purposes, along with their values ​​before and after the change, as a single history.

[0067] List 1510 is displayed on the panel display unit 940a, which is equipped with a touch panel. Therefore, the operation reception unit 1202 can accept selections on a row-by-row basis, corresponding to the history ID shown in List 1510.

[0068] The operation reception unit 1202 accepts the selection of each row shown in list 1510 of the paper management history list screen 1500. Since a modification date and time is assigned to each row, this means that the operation reception unit 1202 is accepting the selection of a modification date and time.

[0069] In other words, the user refers to the list screen 1500 and selects the row to which they want to apply the settings from among several rows assigned a history ID. The list 1510 shown in Figure 5 displays the date and time. Therefore, the user can select the setting value they want to revert to based on the date and time the setting was changed.

[0070] For example, when the operation reception unit 1202 receives a selection for line 1511, the display control unit 1201 displays the paper management history screen 1400, which shows the setting item indicated in line 1511 and the setting value before and after the setting.

[0071] Users can display the paper management history screen again by selecting the history row (date and time) they want to check the details of from list 1510. On the paper management history screen, they can check the details of the changes made in the selected row (date and time).

[0072] Figure 6 is an example of the paper management history screen displayed by the display control unit 1201 according to this embodiment. The paper management history screen 1600 is displayed when a row (for example, row 1511) is selected in the list screen 1500 of the paper management history for each paper ID shown in Figure 5.

[0073] In other words, the paper management history screen 1600 displays the paper management history associated with paper ID "12," specifically the settings that were changed on the modification date and time "2024 / AA / AA," as shown in row 1511 of Figure 5.

[0074] In the example shown in Figure 6, the paper management history associated with paper ID "12" and modification date and time "2024 / AA / AA" is displayed.

[0075] Specifically, in the example shown in Figure 6, "1 / 3" is displayed in page 1406. Therefore, the first of the three paper management history entries associated with paper ID "12" is displayed. The paper management history screen 1600 shown in Figure 6 has fewer displayable paper management history entries compared to the paper management history screen 1400 shown in Figure 4, because it is the paper management history associated with paper ID "12".

[0076] If you want to display other paper management history associated with paper ID "12", when the operation reception unit 1202 receives confirmation that the "Next" button 1611 has been pressed, the display control unit 1201 switches the display to the second paper management history. The same applies to the third and subsequent history entries, and the explanation is omitted.

[0077] In the paper management history screen 1600 shown in Figure 6, "2024 / AA / AA" is displayed in the occurrence date and time 1601, "12" is displayed in the paper ID field 1602, "Pickup Assist" is set in the item whose setting was changed field 1603, "OFF" is set in the changed field 1604, and "ON" is set in the original field 1605.

[0078] In the MFP9 according to this embodiment, it is possible to transition to the settings editing screen with the settings value before or after the change, as shown on the paper management history screen 1600, applied.

[0079] For example, if the operation reception unit 1202 receives a press of the "Re-edit with values ​​before saving" button 1613, the setting unit 1203 applies the previous settings for all pages of the paper management history screen 1600 to the settings editing screen. In the example shown in Figure 6, the setting unit 1203 applies the previous settings (the values ​​shown in the "before change" column 1605) for three setting items to the settings editing screen, and the display control unit 1201 displays the settings editing screen to which the previous settings have been applied. In other words, the setting unit 1203 uses (displays) multiple previous settings from among the settings associated with paper ID "12" on the settings editing screen.

[0080] For example, if the operation reception unit 1202 receives a press of the "Re-edit with saved values" button 1612, the setting unit 1203 applies the previous settings for all pages of the paper management history screen 1600 to the settings editing screen. In the example shown in Figure 6, the setting unit 1203 applies the changed settings (the values ​​shown in the changed column 1604) for three setting items to the settings editing screen, and the display control unit 1201 displays the settings editing screen to which the previous settings have been applied. In other words, the setting unit 1203 uses (displays) multiple changed setting values ​​from among the setting values ​​associated with paper ID "12" to the settings editing screen.

[0081] For example, if a user changes a setting to an incorrect value, the row with the incorrect setting is selected from the list 1510. Then, when the operation reception unit 1202 receives a press of the "Re-edit with values ​​before saving" button 1613 on the paper management history screen 1400, the display control unit 1201 can display the editing screen in the state before the incorrect setting was changed.

[0082] In this way, when a user presses the re-edit button on the paper management history screen, they can start editing the paper using the settings displayed on that paper management history screen.

[0083] In this embodiment, when the setting unit 1203 displays the setting values ​​stored in the paper management history storage unit 909A on the panel display unit 940a, and the user presses the "Re-edit with saved values" button 1412 or the "Re-edit with unsaved values" button 1413 (an example of the first operation), the setting unit 1203 uses (displays) the multiple setting values ​​associated in the paper management history storage unit 909A with the paper ID associated with the displayed setting value as settings for forming an image on the paper on the editing screen.

[0084] In this embodiment, when a change date and time is selected from list 1510 of the paper management history list screen 1500 in Figure 5, the setting unit 1203 sets a setting value from among several setting values ​​associated with the paper ID that corresponds to the paper management history that was changed on the change date and time selected.

[0085] When the display control unit 1201 receives a press of the "Re-edit with values ​​before saving" button or the "Re-edit with values ​​after saving" button (an example of the first operation) from the paper management history screens 1400 and 1600, which display the setting values ​​stored in the paper management history storage unit 909A, the display control unit 1201 switches to the settings editing screen for forming an image on the paper.

[0086] In the settings editing screen, multiple setting values ​​associated with the paper IDs, which are linked to the setting values ​​displayed on the paper management history screens 1400 and 1600, are set in the paper management history storage unit 909A.

[0087] Figure 7 is an example of the settings editing screen displayed by the display control unit 1201 according to this embodiment. The settings editing screen 1700 is displayed when a row (for example, row 1511) is selected in the list screen 1500 of the paper management history for each paper ID shown in Figure 6.

[0088] The settings editing screen 1700 shown in Figure 7 includes a display area 1710 that shows the setting items in a hierarchical order, and a display area 1720 that shows the details of the setting items.

[0089] The display area 1710, which shows the setting items in a hierarchical structure, has hierarchical data formed according to the type of setting item. This hierarchical data can be expanded and collapsed in response to user operations.

[0090] The hierarchical data in display field 1710 displays the settings configured on the paper management history screens 1400 and 1600 in an expanded state that is accessible to the user.

[0091] For example, the display control unit 1201 expands the hierarchy 1711 of "1212: Main unit / Manual feed" and displays the setting value "OFF" of the "Pickup assist" setting 1712 for the user to refer to.

[0092] For example, the display control unit 1201 displays the details of the setting item selected in the hierarchical data of the display field 1710 in the display field 1720.

[0093] For example, the display control unit 1201 displays a selection field 1722 for "Pickup Assist" in the display field 1720. The operation reception unit 1202 can accept a setting value switching operation from the selection field 1722.

[0094] The display control unit 1201, in the settings editing screen 1700, makes each of the multiple setting values ​​set when transitioning from the paper management history screens 1400 and 1600 display differently from the other setting values. The display manner can be determined according to the embodiment. For example, the display control unit 1201 changes the color of each of the multiple setting values ​​set when transitioning to the settings editing screen 1700 from black to red.

[0095] For example, the display control unit 1201 changes the setting value "OFF" of setting 1712 to red.

[0096] The settings editing screen 1700 shown in Figure 7 displays an "OK" button 1731, a "Temporarily Apply" button 1732, and a "Cancel" button 1733.

[0097] When the operation reception unit 1202 receives confirmation that the "cancel" button 1733 has been pressed, the display control unit 1201 performs control to return to the previously displayed screen (for example, the paper management history screen 1600).

[0098] When the operation reception unit 1202 receives confirmation that the "Temporarily Apply" button 1732 has been pressed, the output control unit 1205 temporarily uses the setting values ​​set on the setting editing screen 1700 and outputs a printing instruction to the printer unit 932.

[0099] If the operation reception unit 1202 receives confirmation that the "OK" button 1732 has been pressed, the setting unit 1203 sets each of the multiple setting values ​​set on the setting editing screen 1700 as parameters for printing using the printer unit 932.

[0100] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the setting process for printing performed by the controller 910 according to this embodiment.

[0101] The operation reception unit 1202 determines whether or not it has received a request to display the normal paper list screen (S1801). If the operation reception unit 1202 determines that it has received a request to display the normal paper list screen (S1801: YES), the controller 910, as in normal processing, displays the paper list screen, and if it receives a paper selection, it transitions to the settings editing screen, changes the setting value for each setting item according to the user's operation (S1802), and then terminates the setting process. In this case, the user needs to refer to the settings editing screen and change the setting value for each setting item one by one. This increases the operational burden on the user.

[0102] On the other hand, if the operation reception unit 1202 determines that it has not received a request to display the normal paper list screen (S1801: NO), the display control unit 1201 displays the printer timeline screen (S1803).

[0103] Then, the operation reception unit 1202 accepts the press of the paper management history icon displayed on the printer timeline screen (S1804).

[0104] The display control unit 1201 then displays the paper management history screen related to the settings that were changed during the time period in which the pressed icon was located (S1805).

[0105] After the paper management history screen is displayed, the operation reception unit 1202 determines whether or not the press of the "Check all change history for this paper" button 1413 has been received (S1206).

[0106] In S1206, if the operation reception unit 1202 receives confirmation that the "Check all change history for this paper" button 1413 has been pressed (S1206:YES), the display control unit 1201 displays a list screen of the paper management history associated with the paper ID that was displayed on the paper management history screen (S1207). The list screen of the paper management history shows a list of change dates and times when changes were made to the setting items associated with the paper ID.

[0107] The operation reception unit 1202 then accepts the selection of a row (modification date and time) displayed on the paper management history list screen (S1208).

[0108] The display control unit 1201 displays a paper management history screen (S1209) showing the setting items associated with the paper ID that were updated in the row (date and time) where the selection was received, along with the setting values ​​before and after the update. After that, the controller 910 transitions back to the process in S1806. In other words, the paper management history screen can display setting items associated with the paper ID and a predetermined date and time, along with the setting values ​​before and after the update.

[0109] In S1206, if the operation reception unit 1202 does not accept a press of the "Check all change history for this form" button 1413 (S1206: NO), the operation reception unit 1202 determines whether or not it accepted a press of the "Re-edit with values ​​before saving" button or the "Re-edit with values ​​after saving" button (S1210). If the operation reception unit 1202 does not accept a press of the "Re-edit with values ​​before saving" button or the "Re-edit with values ​​after saving" button (S1210: NO), the controller 910 transitions back to the process in S1806.

[0110] On the other hand, if the operation reception unit 1202 receives a press of the "Re-edit with values ​​before saving" button or the "Re-edit with values ​​after saving" button (S1210: YES), the display control unit 1201 displays the settings editing screen updated (reflected) with the multiple setting values ​​shown on each of the pages that make up the paper management history screen (S1811). If the "Re-edit with values ​​before saving" button was pressed, the display control unit 1201 displays the settings editing screen updated with the setting values ​​before the update shown on each of the pages. On the other hand, if the "Re-edit with values ​​after saving" button was pressed, the display control unit 1201 displays the settings editing screen updated with the setting values ​​after the update shown on each of the pages.

[0111] In the normal operation of S1802, the user needs to change the setting value of each setting item one by one. In contrast, in the operation of S1803 to S1811, the controller 910 changes the setting values ​​of multiple setting items at once based on the past paper management history, thereby reducing the operational burden.

[0112] In this embodiment, the MFP9 can start paper editing using the setting value of either the pre- or post-change setting value from the history of past changes to the setting value for printing. Therefore, the burden of saving the pre- and post-change setting values ​​in a memo, etc., and the burden of changing the setting value can be reduced.

[0113] In this embodiment, the MFP9 stores the history of changes to the setting values ​​of multiple setting items, along with the date and time of the change, associated with each sheet of paper (sheet ID). Therefore, the user can view a list of the change history for each sheet of paper, organized by change date and time. Furthermore, by selecting a change date and time, the user can change multiple setting items that were changed at that time all at once. Thus, the MFP9 in this embodiment can reduce the operational burden on the user.

[0114] In the MFP9 according to this embodiment, when the "Re-edit with saved values" button 1412 or the "Re-edit with unsaved values" button 1413 is pressed (an example of the first operation), the MFP9 displays the settings editing screen using the paper ID associated with the displayed setting value and the multiple setting values ​​associated in the paper management history storage unit 909A as settings for forming an image on the paper. In the MFP9 according to this embodiment, the setting values ​​of setting items associated with paper can be updated all at once, thus reducing the burden on the user.

[0115] Although several embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the elements shown in the embodiments described above can be combined in any way as appropriate, as long as no technical inconsistencies arise. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0116] 9 MFP 910 Controller 901 CPU 909 HDD 909A Paper Management History Storage Unit 932 Printer Section 940 Control Panel 1201 Display Control Unit 1202 Operation Reception Section 1203 Settings Section 1204 Memory Control Unit 1205 Output Control Unit [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0117] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-162914

Claims

1. A print control unit that forms an image on a sheet-like medium based on image data, An operating unit that can accept operations from the user, The print control unit stores a history of setting values ​​changed according to the operation received by the operation unit in order to form an image on the medium, in association with the identification information of the medium. When the setting value stored in the storage unit is displayed on the display unit, and the operation unit receives a first operation, the setting unit uses the multiple setting values ​​associated in the storage unit with the identification information associated with the displayed setting value to set the setting for forming an image on the medium in the print control unit. An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features.

2. The storage unit stores the setting value after the setting has been changed in order to form an image on the medium, in association with the identification information, and also stores the setting value before the setting has been changed in order to form an image on the medium, in association with the identification information. The setting unit uses a plurality of the setting values ​​before they are changed, which are associated with the identification information, to set them, or uses a plurality of the setting values ​​after they have been changed, which are associated with the identification information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes a display control unit that displays a list of setting values ​​associated with predetermined identification information at each time interval in which the settings are changed to form an image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The operating unit can accept the selection of the time from the list, When the setting unit receives a selection of the time, it sets the setting value corresponding to the setting changed for the time from among a plurality of setting values ​​associated with predetermined identification information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The display control unit further includes a screen that displays the setting value stored in the memory unit, and when the first operation is received, switches to a screen for editing settings for forming an image on the medium. The editing screen contains each of the multiple setting values ​​associated with the identification information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The display control unit makes each of the multiple setting values ​​associated with the identification information display differently from the other setting values. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.

7. An image forming apparatus comprising: a print control unit that forms an image on a sheet-like medium based on image data; an operation unit that can receive operations from a user; and a storage unit that stores a history of setting values ​​changed according to the operations received by the operation unit in order for the print control unit to form an image on the medium, in association with the identification information of the medium, When the display unit is displaying the setting value stored in the storage unit, if the operation unit receives a first operation, the print control unit performs a setting step in which it uses the multiple setting values ​​associated in the storage unit with the identification information associated with the displayed setting value to set for forming an image on the medium. A program to be executed.

Images